Spring and Earth Day at the Bridges Inn

Today it looks and feels like spring has arrived in the Monadnock Region. Green grass is poking up from the soil and buds are starting to form on the trees. Flowers are blooming and the hours of daylight are longer.


As of this weekend, this new Magnolia tree adorns the main entrance to the Bridges Inn.

Today is also Earth Day, not just in the Monadnock Region but all around the world. According to the Earth Day Network, "Every year on April 22, more than one billion people take part in Earth Day. Across the globe, individuals, communities, organizations, and governments acknowledge the amazing planet we call home and take action to protect it."

"The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. (More on the history.)

Most of us cannot do much to stop global warming and climate change but everyone can do his or her part to protect the Earth's natural resources; to conserve and preserve our environment; and to otherwise make a positive impact. We try to keep the inn as “green” as possible by recycling, composting, purchasing environmentally friendly supplies, organic coffee, and other organic / natural food products, and doing what we can to keep us environmentally responsible and conscientious.

We treasure the beauty of our surroundings. We planted a Magnolia over the weekend, with help from Maple Hill Nursery.

Digging a hole - note several rhododendrons in the foreground, which have since been planted out back where the "waterfalls" were.

Lowering the Magnolia plant

Protective cover removed - lowering the Magnolia plant



All planted, raking out the surrounding mulch

From a different vantage point, with the gazebo in the background



The forsythia are also in bloom.

We converted our "waterfalls" into a garden with rhododendrons.

And we have plenty of daffodils

Confused Spring

This year we've seen many of the ordinary signs of spring at the Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House: maple trees being tapped for syrup, snowdrop flowers poking through the soil, and crocuses.

Spring has sprung but on Friday, April 12th, Mother Nature seemed a bit confused, dumping freezing rain and snow on the Monadnock Region. The accumulation wasn't much, but it can be seen amidst the crocuses and near the house (below).

Nine days before, the snowdrop flowers had bloomed (photos taken April 3rd). Snowdrops and maple buckets always bring a smile to my face.



The maple buckets shown below were taken pre-spring (on March 2nd). We were told that it was a good year for maple syrup producers.

Regardless of what Mother Nature is doing, we think you'll find the Bridges Inn pleasant and comfortable. And you'll love our breakfasts. We'll be sure to serve pancakes or waffles with fresh maple syrup if you stay with us.

NOTE: Double-click on the photos to open an enlarged version.

Winter in the Monadnock Region

It's almost New Year and the Monadnock Region is beautiful with snow everywhere. It's a picture-perfect landscape at the Bridges Inn.

 

Contact us for a reservation at www.bridgesinn.com or 603-357-6624.

And for a peek at other sites in the region: 

Whether you come to the Bridges Inn or to Mount Monadnock or any of the other winter attractions, such as Granite Gorge, you'll find plenty of winter fun in the Monadnock Region.

Cheshire Fair

It is a very special weekend here in Swanzey, NH, as the town hosts the Cheshire Fair.  Started in 1938, this is the fair's 74th year and runs from August 1st until Sunday, August 5th.  There is something there for everyone.  Livestock is the focus and you can see cows, bulls, llamas, sheep, and horses.  There are oxen, horse, and tractor pulls.  This year they are featuring monster trucks.  And on Sunday, the the fair ends with great fanfare as they hold the demolition derby.  The entire schedule can be viewed here.

The Bridges Inn is just a few miles away and we went there for opening day.  There is a festive atmosphere.  Immediately upon entering, you can hear the live band.

It is a long walk to go through the entire fairgrounds.  There is really a lot to see there.  We visited the animals, and then made our way to the Midway, where you'll find games, rides, and food.  The Cheshire Fair also has great shopping, including toys, handbags, clothes, stickers, and other collectibles.  There is even a booth for the Liberty Radio Network, which hosts Radio Free Keene.

The Cheshire Fair is a fun family outing.  We would certainly recommend that you go and have a good time!

Fruit Cobbler

Now that it's June, cherries are available at the grocery store.  We made them into a cobbler this morning, and the cherry cobler received rave reviews by the breakfast guests at the Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House.  Here is a basic cobbler recipe (adapted from a King Arthur cookbook):

Grease a deep non-metal baking dish. (I use an 8" x 8" baking dish)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Soften 2 tablespoons of butter.

Mix 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.  Set aside.

With whisk or electric mixer, vigorously beat 2 eggs with 1 cup sugar.

Add any flavors, such as splash of vanilla, lemon zest, almond extract, or cinnamon.

Add 2 tablespoons milk and the softened butter, mix well.

Sprinkle half of flour mixture over wet ingredients.  Mix lightly with spoon/spatula.  Combine the rest, being careful not to over-mix.

Pour batter into prepared dish.  Cover with fruit.

Bake for almost one hour.  The center may seem a little raw, but it will solidify once it has cooled down.

Spring in Bloom at The Bridges Inn

Nick and Susan were in Arizona and returned to a beautifully landscaped inn! David, who is the chef, was certainly busy in the yard! And the weather likely cooperated. Below are magenta rhododendrons and gardens around the gazebo...

 

And irises everywhere -- in time for Memorial Day.

In the back yard, more irises, with some lupines poking through. The lupines were planted two summers ago from seed. The screened-in porch is lovely at this time of year.

Also out back are more rhododendrons in white and purple surrounding the fountain.



Stay at the Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House, relax on the porch (perhaps with a glass of wine), or read a book in the gazebo. You can enjoy the gardens and one of Chef David's scrumptious breakfasts!

Ashuelot Rail Trail

Just down the road from the Bridges Inn, you'll find a nice trail called the Ashuelot River Rail Trail  It runs alongside the river, quite scenically, from Keene to Hinsdale, on the Vermont border.  

Occupying the route of the former railroad, the tracks have been removed but the trail still follows the same path through the woods, passing farmhouses. 

The trip from Swanzey to Keene is quite lovely.  It is about six miles and will bring you by the Cresson Covered Bridge.  There are also great views of Mount Monadnock.  The trail is 23 miles long, most of which is south of the Bridges Inn, in Winchester and Hinsdale.  Skipping the Keene portion, bikers leaving the Inn could travel 34 miles (17 miles each way), to the Vermont border and back.  Keene is nice, however, particularly if you need bicycle repairs or equipment, as it is home to Andy's Cycle Shop.

Another popular bike route from the Inn is the Covered Bridge loop.  Clicking the previous link brings you to a map with two connected loops, for a total of twenty six miles.  It is possible to do other loops, though, of various duration.  One such route would bring you to Ashuelot to see the most picturesque of the local covered bridges, the Ashuelot bridge.